True to its name, the Mississippi Petrified Forest features a number of fossilized tree trunks. Being the only petrified forest in the eastern part of the US, it is a top tourist destination for those interested in ancient natural history.

Although, the area has been discovered way back in the 1800s, the Mississippi Petrified Forest has only been opened to the public as a park in the 1960s. Founded by Shirl and RJ Schabilion, they’ve initiated efforts to not only make the venue public, but also to conserve the natural history contained in the site.

The location of Mississippi Petrified Forest is believed to be a large river once, 36 million years ago. The site has been designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1965.